Folic acid in planning pregnancy

So you decided to plan the birth of a baby. Scheduled examinations of the body, tests, many specialists. And finally, you got to the most important female doctor - the gynecologist. He gave you a bunch of recommendations and prescribed folic acid. What is this mysterious acid? Do you really need to drink it and what does it affect? In fact, all gynecologists at a scheduled appointment strongly recommend taking folic acid when planning a pregnancy, and they are right. Why? In our article, we will try to tell you everything about this essential vitamin.

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Dosage of folic acid when planning pregnancy

For the full development of the fetus, the recommended dosage of folic acid when planning pregnancy, as well as for pregnant women, is only 0.0004 g per day (or 0.4 mg or 400 mcg).

Preparations containing vitamin B9 include:

• folic acid in tablets (one tablet contains 1 mg of vitamin);
• folacin (one tablet contains 5 mg of vitamin);
• Elevit Pronatal (one tablet contains 0.8 mg of vitamin);
• Pregnavit (one capsule contains 0.75 mg of vitamin);
• Materna (one tablet contains 1 mg of vitamin);
• Vitrum Pronatal (one capsule contains 0.8 mg of vitamin);
• MultiTabs (one tablet contains 0.4 mg of vitamin);
• Pregnacareа (one tablet contains 0.4 mg of vitamin).

When taking medications containing folic acid when planning a pregnancy, it is important to remember that the absorption of the substance is reduced when taken simultaneously with antiepileptic, anti-tuberculosis, nitrofuran drugs, as well as antacids, sulfonamides, aspirin and hormonal contraceptives. It is best to take the medications an hour before meals.

It is best to take vitamin B9 in combination with vitamin C. You also need to know that the synthesis of this substance occurs in the large intestine with the direct participation of bifidobacteria, so it is very important to have normal intestinal microflora.

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Benefits of Folic Acid for Pregnancy

Folic acid or vitamin B9 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a very important role in hematopoiesis and stimulates cell proliferation. Previously, vitamin B9 was considered a purely female vitamin, but now it has been proven that its sufficient amount in men affects spermatogenesis (the process of sperm formation).

The benefits of folic acid for pregnancy are hard to overestimate. Studies have shown that it is this vitamin that affects the timely closure of the neural tube (reduces the risk of non-closure by 98%), stimulates fetal cell division and plays an important role in the hematopoiesis of the child. An acute deficiency of vitamin B9 in the fetus can cause delayed mental development, developmental defects of the brain or spinal cord, the formation of a brain hernia and hydrocephalus. A pregnant woman may develop anemia and placental development defects. Therefore, it is very important to consume a sufficient amount of this vitamin at the planning stage and in the first weeks of pregnancy.

Folic acid overdose

It is quite difficult to overdose on vitamin B9, as the excess is excreted by the kidneys. However, long-term use of high doses can lead to the accumulation of folate salts, which can lead to vomiting, upset stomach, nervousness and insomnia.

Folic acid plays a very important role in pregnancy planning, so you should not neglect its prescription. Doctors recommend taking this vitamin for preventive purposes at least three months before the planned conception. It is also prescribed during pregnancy and breastfeeding to prevent deficiency.

Signs of Folic Acid Deficiency During Pregnancy

Most often, folic acid deficiency occurs in the winter, when insufficient amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits are consumed. Below we list the main symptoms of a lack of this vitamin in the body:

• chronic fatigue syndrome;
• neuroses, anxiety, insomnia;
• memory impairment, forgetfulness, apathy;
• lack of appetite, heaviness in the stomach, indigestion;
• stomatitis, hair loss, dry skin.

If you have more than four signs, then it is quite possible to assume the presence of vitamin B9 deficiency. But this is not a reason to worry. To exclude negative consequences for the fetus, you should consult your gynecologist. He will prescribe the correct dosage or recommend another drug containing this vitamin. A blood test from a vein will help to accurately determine the deficiency of folic acid. The blood serum should contain from 3 to 17 ng / ml of the vitamin.

Sources of folic acid

What foods should you pay attention to in order to avoid folic acid deficiency during pregnancy? Relatively recently (only in 1941) this vitamin was isolated from spinach leaves, thanks to which it was learned that it is contained most of all in green vegetables. Vitamin B9 can also be found in some fruits. So, the most necessary products for preventing folic acid deficiency during pregnancy are:

• green leafy vegetables (spinach, lettuce, parsley);
• yeast and bran;
• cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal, wheat);
• legumes (beans, lentils, soybeans, green peas, asparagus);
• fruits (pomelo, melon, bananas, apricots);
• meat (beef, pork, lamb, chicken)
• offal (liver, heart, kidneys);
• nuts and honey.

When eating foods rich in this vitamin, you should remember that during long-term storage, almost half of its amount is destroyed. And during heat treatment, up to 80% of the valuable substance is lost. Therefore, in winter, it is very important to consume this useful substance in tablet form.